Super Results for New Super Police Division

The pre-planned sting, known as Operation Synergy, was the first joint operation by the new merged ‘super Division’ of Bridgend borough and the Vale, and saw over 40 officers from across the Bridgend sector targeting outstanding suspects and wanted prolific offenders.

From 9am, police officers, special constables, PCSOs, members of the Bridgend Serious Acquisitive Crime Team and Drugs Squad, and crime prevention officers from the Safer Bridgend Partnership hit the streets conducting house to house enquiries and high visibility patrols.

In total, a whopping 24 arrests were made for a variety of offences, including theft, auto crime offences, possession of drugs, assault, Section 18 GBH, criminal damage and harassment.

The arrests included a 24 year old male who was arrested and charged for two counts of theft, after CCTV in Somerfield on Castle St caught the man stealing alcohol and beef. He was also arrested for stealing meat from a shop on Hermon Rd on 24th April.

A 21 year old male previously arrested for vehicle interference who failed to answer bail was caught by officers, as was a 19 year old male who didn’t answer bail for having no driving license or MOT.

A 22 year old male, a 25 year old female and a 35 year old male who didn’t answer bail on possession of illegal substances charges were also caught by the 40-strong crew. The 22 year old had previously been caught in possession of amphetamine.

From 12pm, a reassuring high-visibility patrol and CCTV initiative in Bridgend town centre saw officers arrest a 38 year old male for possession of illegal substances, after he was caught carrying 3 bags of heroin.

A 23 year old male was also arrested and charged for theft after stealing a t-shirt on 21st April.

Acting Chief Inspector Jay Winslade-Gregory, who led the operation alongside Vale of Glamorgan Acting Inspector Jim Hall, said: “We were personally excited to hold this operation to make a difference to our communities, tackle suspects and bring prolific offenders to justice. In the borough, we always welcome the opportunity to make offenders look over their shoulder.”

Throughout the operation, officers from both Bridgend and the Vale were available to assist in either area should the need arise.

At 4pm, an intelligence-led drugs warrant was executed in the Maes-y-Felin area of Wildmill, Bridgend by the Maesteg Neighbourhood Support Team as part of the sting, where a 19 year old male was cautioned for possession of cannabis. Drugs paraphernalia such as weighing equipment were also recovered in the raid.

PC Clayton Ritchie, a Bridgend Neighbourhood officer who was at the front line of the operation said: “Once we’ve worked with the community to identify problems that are affecting their quality of life, for example, through the PACT process, we can then look at the bigger picture and work with other teams across the sector like the Neighbourhood Support Team to hopefully put an end to the overarching issue once and for all.”

“Catching prolific offenders is key to making our streets safer, and we’re pleased that the new team structure is having such an impact on making this happen.”

Operation Synergy also had a crime prevention focus, and saw Crime Tactical Design Advisor Gwyn Batten and Crime Reduction Officer Lisa Matthews of the Safer Bridgend Partnership conduct house to house enquiries with PCSOs, offering crime prevention advice and guidance in a bid to reassure victims of crime.

As part of the ‘Vulnerable Vehicles’ scheme, the officers also noted vehicles which displayed property or were easy targets for thieves. The vehicle owners will now get letters highlighting the vulnerability of their vehicle, and the identified areas will receive advice from officers about auto crime prevention in upcoming PACT meetings.

The Investigative Support Unit, based in Bridgend station, also had a massive input into the operation. The team prepared extensive files on all of the outstanding suspects and offenders across the division to ensure the operation ran quickly and effectively, and a team were on hand to immediately interview offenders brought into custody.

Acting Detective Sergeant Mathew Lewis of the ISU said: “It was a pleasure working on this operation with so many other teams in the division to apprehend offenders and bring them to justice. We hope these diligent enquiries will result in the successful prosecution of offenders, and we will continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to make communities safer for residents and so victims see justice being served.”

Acting Chief Inspector Winslade-Gregory added: “Operation Synergy is the first of many operations where we will be working with the Vale to tackle crime. We are focused on making the Bridgend borough and the Vale an uncomfortable place for serious acquisitive crime offenders and drug dealers to operate in, and any other offenders for that matter. Through proactive policing we will continue to strive to make the borough and Vale safer places for residents to live.”